The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG 2011, the first car developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG, marked a significant milestone in automotive engineering and design. This groundbreaking sports car brought together a host of advanced technologies, wrapped in a visually stunning package that paid homage to the legendary 300SL Gullwing of the 1950s. From its aluminum space-frame body and iconic gullwing doors to its potent AMG V8 engine and sophisticated chassis, the Mercedes Benz Sls 2011 was engineered for exhilarating performance and driving dynamics.
Development: From Virtual Concept to Road-Ready Supercar
Mercedes-AMG embarked on an ambitious journey to create the Mercedes Benz SLS 2011, dedicating over 40 years of motorsports expertise to the project. The development process was rigorous, employing cutting-edge technology and extensive testing across diverse environments.
Virtual Car and Digital Prototyping
The journey began in late 2006 with the digital birth of the Gullwing. Advanced simulation programs were utilized to create a complete virtual car, allowing engineers to meticulously model every aspect, from engine placement and weight distribution to aerodynamics and crash performance. This digital prototyping phase was crucial for refining the design and predicting vehicle behavior before physical prototypes were even built.
“Mule” Prototypes for Component Testing
By spring 2007, the first running prototypes, known as “mules,” were ready for real-world testing. These early prototypes were primarily focused on validating core components like the engine, transmission, brakes, and suspension. Equipped with complex measurement tools, engineers accelerated the refinement of these subsystems, with a particular focus on achieving optimal lap times at the demanding Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit.
Comprehensive Prototype Testing Regimen
From the summer of 2008, camouflaged prototypes of the Mercedes Benz SLS 2011 began extensive testing, with over 40 vehicles deployed in a grueling validation program. Key testing stages included:
- Powertrain and Climate Testing: Altitude testing in locations like Denver, Colorado, and Lesotho, South Africa, and high-temperature testing in Death Valley, California, and Upington, South Africa, pushed the engine, transmission, drivetrain, and air conditioning system to their limits. Low-temperature testing in Arctic Falls and Arjeplog, Sweden, and climate tunnel testing in Stuttgart further ensured reliability in extreme conditions.
- Cooling and Fuel System Validation: High-speed track testing in Nardo, Italy, Laredo, Texas, and Papenburg, Germany, combined with hot-weather testing, assessed the cooling and fuel systems under sustained high loads. Wind tunnel testing in Stuttgart refined aerodynamic performance and thermal management.
- Braking and Control System Dynamics: Brake system testing on the Nardo high-speed circuit and the challenging Großglockner Pass in Austria, and dynamic handling control system testing at facilities in Idiada, Spain, Arjeplog, Sweden, and Boxberg, Germany, ensured exceptional braking performance and vehicle stability.
Accelerated Endurance Testing: Simulating a Lifetime
Endurance testing served as the ultimate validation, compressing a typical vehicle lifespan into a much shorter timeframe. Approximately 30 Mercedes Benz SLS 2011 test vehicles accumulated over 750,000 miles before the program concluded in January 2010. This included:
- Public Road Endurance: Assessing component and system interaction under everyday driving conditions, with vehicles loaded to maximum weight and subjected to a defined program of roads and city streets.
- ‘Heide’ Testing: Focused on suspension, body, and subframe durability on poor road surfaces, again with maximum vehicle weight.
- Accelerated Nürburgring and City Testing: 6,000 miles on the Nürburgring Nordschleife and 6,000 miles in city driving rigorously tested the drivetrain and suspension.
- Full-Throttle Endurance: Extreme acceleration and deceleration sequences with prolonged full-throttle operation stressed cooling, fuel supply, and braking systems.
- Global Endurance: Whole-vehicle testing concentrated on drivetrain, suspension, and body integrity.
- Corrosion Endurance: Simulating harsh dynamic and climatic conditions to evaluate corrosion resistance.
Engine: The Heart of the SLS – A Handcrafted AMG 6.3L V8
The Mercedes Benz SLS 2011 is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.3-liter V8 engine, designated M159, designed and built entirely by AMG. This engine is not merely an iteration of previous AMG V8s; it’s a completely new engine family, incorporating over 120 redesigned components based on AMG’s extensive motorsport experience. The result is an engine producing 563 SAE net horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, enabling the SLS to achieve 0 to 60 mph acceleration in a mere 3.7 seconds. At the time of its release, it stood as the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine in production.
“One Man, One Engine” Philosophy
Each AMG engine is meticulously hand-assembled by a single master technician at Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, Germany, adhering to the “one man, one engine” philosophy. This craftsman is responsible for the entire assembly process, from installing the crankshaft to the wiring harness, and their signature on a plaque affixed to the engine signifies their personal commitment to quality and performance.
Dry Sump Lubrication: Enhancing Performance and Handling
A key innovation in the SLS engine is its dry-sump lubrication system. Unlike conventional wet-sump systems, dry sump lubrication uses two oil pumps and a separate oil tank. This eliminates the traditional oil pan, allowing the engine to be mounted lower in the chassis, thus lowering the car’s center of gravity. This lower center of gravity, combined with the front-mid-engine layout and rear-mounted transaxle, contributes significantly to the Mercedes Benz SLS 2011’s exceptional handling and 47-53 percent front-rear weight distribution.
The system circulates 14.27 quarts of oil, with a suction pump scavenging oil from the crankshaft chamber and cylinder heads and delivering it to the remote oil tank. This design also reduces oil drag on the crankshaft, contributing to increased horsepower. A second pump ensures consistent oil pressure, even under extreme cornering forces, preventing engine damage. The pressure pump is electronically controlled for efficiency, and two oil coolers with fans in the front fenders manage oil temperature.
Lightweight and High-Strength Components
The SLS engine utilizes lightweight forged aluminum pistons, which are stronger and lighter than cast pistons, reducing reciprocating mass. Metered oil spray nozzles cool the piston crowns from below. The engine block and cylinder heads are constructed from advanced cast aluminum-silicon alloys, offering optimal strength, light weight, and thermal properties.
TWAS Cylinder Coating and Bedplate Crankcase
The cylinder bores feature a Twin-Wire-Arc-Sprayed (TWAS) coating, an innovative process resulting in low friction and exceptionally hard cylinder surfaces. This coating improves wear resistance and engine efficiency. Instead of traditional main bearing caps, the engine employs a rigid one-piece bedplate at the bottom of the block, sandwiching the crankshaft for increased strength and reliability at high RPMs. Extensive use of aluminum components and bolts further reduces engine weight, with the fully assembled V8 weighing just 453 pounds.
Racing-Derived Crankshaft and Valvetrain
The crankshaft is crafted from high-quality forged steel alloy, featuring heavy metal plugs in the counterweights – a feature typically found in racing engines – to reduce rotational inertia and enhance power. Forged connecting rods are precisely “cracked” for superior strength.
The valvetrain, also derived from AMG racing engines, utilizes bucket followers instead of rocker arms. This space-saving design creates a stiff valvetrain allowing for large valve openings and reliable high-speed operation. Hydraulic lifters integrated into the buckets ensure automatic valve clearance adjustment for reduced maintenance. Variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust sides optimizes efficiency and torque across the RPM range.
AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-Speed Transmission: Lightning-Fast Gear Changes
The Mercedes Benz SLS 2011 features the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed transaxle, a dual-clutch transmission designed for rapid, seamless gear changes and optimal performance. Mounted at the rear in a transaxle configuration, it integrates the rear final drive, differential, and a mechanical differential lock. The multi-clutch limited-slip differential enhances traction, providing 30 percent locking on acceleration and 60 percent on deceleration.
Dual-Clutch Technology for Instantaneous Shifts
The dual-clutch design allows for incredibly fast gear shifts without interrupting power flow. One clutch manages odd-numbered gears, and the other manages even-numbered gears. As one gear is engaged, the next is pre-selected, enabling virtually instantaneous shifts by alternating clutch engagement. This system is faster and smoother than traditional automated-manual transmissions, making it ideal for both high-performance driving and everyday use.
Driver-Selectable Modes and RACE START
The AMG DRIVE UNIT on the center console provides electronic gear selection via a T-handle lever and a rotary knob for drive modes. Shift modes include:
- “C” (Controlled Efficiency): Prioritizes fuel economy, starting in second gear and shifting at lower engine speeds.
- “S” (Sport): Starts in first gear, with faster shifts at higher engine speeds.
- “S+” (Sport Plus): Even faster shifts for enhanced responsiveness.
- “M” (Manual): Full manual control via shift paddles, with the quickest shift times (under 100 milliseconds).
RACE START mode optimizes acceleration for track use. It allows for full-throttle launches with maximum traction by managing engine speed and clutch engagement automatically. Rev-matching downshifts, active in all modes except “C,” provide smooth and satisfying gear changes under deceleration.
Rear-Mounted Transaxle and Carbon Fiber Driveshaft
The rear-mounted transaxle contributes to the ideal weight distribution of the Mercedes Benz SLS 2011. The aluminum transaxle is connected to the engine via a 5.4-foot aluminum torque tube, housing a carbon-fiber driveshaft that rotates at engine speed. This lightweight combination (64 pounds total for driveshaft and torque tube) reduces rotational inertia and improves responsiveness.
Chassis and Suspension: Race-Car Technology for Road and Track
The chassis of the Mercedes Benz SLS 2011 is engineered for uncompromising handling and stability, utilizing a double-wishbone suspension system at all four corners – a technology proven in Formula One racing.
Double Wishbone Suspension: Precision and Control
Double-wishbone suspension separates wheel location and shock absorber damping functions, enhancing suspension strength and allowing the shock absorbers to operate independently of wheel deflection. Forged aluminum wishbones and steering knuckles minimize unsprung weight, improving suspension and steering response. Optimized wishbone geometry and pivot points, along with precisely tuned steering knuckles, define the dynamic behavior of the suspension.
Suspension Tuning and Wheel Dynamics
The suspension is tuned to minimize brake dive and acceleration squat, while the long wheelbase enhances straight-line stability. The wide track further improves cornering grip by reducing weight transfer. A large caster angle enhances negative camber during cornering, improving tire grip and stability under braking in turns. Tubular front and solid rear stabilizer bars minimize body roll.
Flow-Formed AMG Light-Alloy Wheels and High-Performance Tires
The Mercedes Benz SLS 2011 rides on flow-formed light-alloy AMG wheels. This process reduces wheel weight while increasing strength, further minimizing unsprung mass. The SLS AMG is fitted with staggered wheels and tires: 19-inch front wheels with 265/35 R 19 tires and 20-inch rear wheels with wider 295/30 R 20 tires. The tires feature a specialized compound providing near-racing levels of dry grip without compromising wet and cold weather performance. A standard tire pressure monitoring system provides real-time tire pressure information to the driver.
Power Rack-and-Pinion Steering and AMG Disc Brakes
Power rack-and-pinion steering with speed-sensitive assist provides direct and responsive steering feel. The Mercedes Benz SLS 2011 is equipped with high-performance two-piece AMG disc brakes, vented, grooved, and perforated for optimal heat dissipation and braking power. Optional ceramic composite brakes offer even greater fade resistance, durability, and reduced unsprung weight. Standard ABS and three-stage ESP stability control further enhance safety and handling.
Body: Lightweight Aluminum Spaceframe and Iconic Gullwing Doors
The Mercedes Benz SLS 2011 body utilizes an advanced aluminum spaceframe construction, resulting in a strong yet lightweight chassis. For the first time in a Mercedes-Benz, the entire body, including the outer skin, is predominantly aluminum. The complete body structure weighs only 530 pounds.
Aluminum and Steel Construction for Optimal Strength
The spaceframe consists of 76 percent aluminum sheets, 20 percent cast aluminum parts, and 4 percent steel. High-strength, heat-formed steel is used for the engine subframe and A-pillars. Cast aluminum is employed in areas requiring high loads or complex shapes, such as door hinge mounts and roof frame members. The trunk lid is made of a plastic composite to house antennas.
Gullwing Doors and Rigid Sill Structure
The iconic gullwing doors are constructed from bonded aluminum inner and outer panels with an internal steel brace for side-impact protection. The gullwing doors allow for a particularly rigid door sill structure, enhancing occupant safety and contributing to the car’s torsional stiffness. Longitudinal frame members and transverse struts further enhance structural rigidity and crash safety.
Crash Safety and Corrosion Protection
The front-mid-engine layout provides a large front crumple zone, enhancing frontal crash safety. The driveshaft torque tube also contributes to crash energy absorption. Extensive computer simulations and real-world crash tests were conducted to optimize crash performance. Corrosion-resistant aluminum alloys and zinc-galvanized steel components, along with electrochemical insulators, ensure long-term corrosion protection.
Exterior Design: A Modern Interpretation of a Classic Icon
The exterior design of the Mercedes Benz SLS 2011 is a striking blend of modern sports car aesthetics and classic Mercedes-Benz design cues, most notably the gullwing doors, a tribute to the legendary 300SL.
Classic Proportions and Modern Details
Key design elements include a long hood, short overhangs, a low roofline, and a short rear deck, creating a powerful and dynamic silhouette. The wide front grille with a large Mercedes-Benz star and wing-like lamella, along with side air gills behind the front wheels, are direct references to the 300SL. Xenon headlights with LED turn signals and daytime running lights, and an active rear spoiler that deploys at higher speeds, add modern touches.
Aerodynamic Efficiency and Practical Features
The exterior design is not only visually striking but also aerodynamically optimized. The active rear spoiler enhances downforce at high speeds, improving stability. Heated, auto-dimming, and electrically adjustable side mirrors are mounted on the window sills to reduce wind noise. Direct-drive windshield wipers with a rain sensor ensure optimal visibility.
Interior: Aviation-Inspired Luxury and Technology
The interior of the Mercedes Benz SLS 2011 echoes the aviation theme of the exterior, with a wing-shaped dashboard, turbine-style air vents, and a cockpit-like center console angled towards the driver.
Premium Materials and Handcrafted Details
The cabin is upholstered in hand-stitched designo leather on the dash, seats, door panels, and armrests. Alcantara headliner and roof pillars, and short-pile carpeting, further enhance the luxurious ambiance. Standard KEYLESS GO allows for keyless engine start, and power windows and central locking are conveniently located in the door panels.
High-Tech Cockpit and User-Friendly COMAND System
A three-spoke nappa leather steering wheel with metal shift paddles and a flattened bottom section provides a sporty feel. Versatile dash displays provide comprehensive vehicle information, including an AMG menu with RACETIMER. The COMAND system with a 7-inch color display, controller on the center console, and voice control manages audio, telephone, and navigation functions. Optional features include a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system and Sirius real-time traffic information.
Luxurious and Supportive Seating
High-bolstered designo leather seats with integrated head restraints, power adjustments, and memory function provide both comfort and support. Three-stage seat heating is standard. The low seating position and steep windshield angle contribute to the sports car feel while maintaining good visibility.
Safety and Convenience Features
The Mercedes Benz SLS 2011 is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including eight airbags, three-point seatbelts with tensioners and force limiters, ABS, ESP, and ultrasonic Parktronic parking assist. Practical features include ample storage space for a sports car, including a glove box, center console storage, and a 6.2 cubic feet trunk.
Conclusion: An Instant Classic and a Symbol of AMG Excellence
The Mercedes Benz SLS 2011 is more than just a high-performance sports car; it is an instant classic, a design icon, and a testament to AMG’s engineering prowess. It successfully blends breathtaking performance with luxurious comfort and iconic design, making the supercar experience more accessible to a wider audience. The SLS AMG not only pays homage to Mercedes-Benz’s rich heritage but also points the way forward for future generations of Mercedes-Benz sports cars, solidifying its place as a landmark vehicle in automotive history.
